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Home » Articles » Singleton Abbey, SwanseaSingleton Abbey, Swansea
Plans and photographs of the exterior and interior of Singleton Abbey, Swansea, home of the Vivian family.
Plans and photographs of the exterior and interior of Singleton Abbey, Swansea, home of the Vivian family.
Singleton Abbey, Swansea, is a large 19th century mansion built in the neo-gothic style. The house was originally built in the late-18th century but it was re-designed in the mid-1820s by the renowned architect P. F. Robinson (1776-1858). The alterations were commissioned by John Henry Vivian (1785-1855), an industrial pioneer of great wealth who made his money from the copper industry, and served as MP for Swansea between 1832 and 1855. His son, Henry Hussey Vivian (1821-94), was the 1st baron of Swansea and he also represented Swansea in Parliament between 1855 and 1893. Singleton Abbey became the core of Swansea University in 1920 and now houses the university's administration offices. This theme contains plans of the house and commentary by the architect P. F. Robinson, as well as black and white photographs of the interior and exterior which were taken c. 1894.
